A Beginner’s Guide to Basic Steadicam Positions

Do you know the difference between flying a Steadicam in high mode or low mode? What about Don Juan and missionary? In this post, we put the dirty bedroom jokes aside and look at basic Steadicam positions and the terms used to describe them from a beginner's perspective.

Since its invention in 1975 by cameraman Garrett Brown, the Steadicam has expanded into its own niche within the film industry and become an integral part of the filmmaker’s toolkit.

As a camera assistant (AC), you can’t have a career beside the camera without eventually working with a Steadicam. Even if you’re just beginning as an AC or trainee, there’s a good chance you’ll soon work alongside a Steadicam operator, perhaps on some of those notoriously long takes.

So what do you do when they tell you they’re flying the camera low Don Juan? Or they’re thinking missionary is the best position for a shot? For starters, they aren’t coming on to you. They’re telling you how they plan to coordinate the complex movement of their feet, the camera, and the subject.

(And you, if you’re pacing alongside them during a shot – whether as a spot or a focus puller)

The Basic Modes and Positions of Steadicam

High mode: The camera sits on top of the sled, typically at a height between the operator’s torso and face. This is the most common way Steadicam’s are used.

Low mode: The camera sits below the sled at a height between the operator’s knees and the ground. Often used for close-to-the-ground shots (e.g. tracking someone’s shoes as they walk).

High and low modes aren’t necessarily Steadicam positions, but they are important to know as the two most basic ways to mount a camera on the arm. It’s also worth noting that in high mode, the operator’s monitor sits at the bottom of the pole while in low mode it sits in the mid-to-top of the pole.

Further, there are two basic “positions” of Steadicam operating:

Missionary: the camera points forward while the operator is also facing forward.

Don Juan: the camera points behind the operator while the operator faces forward.

For more nuanced definitions of these positions, we’ll turn to Jerry Holway’s excellent The Steadicam Operator’s Handbook. In it, Holway says missionary position includes the arc “from the camera pointing straight ahead to looking across the operator’s body.” Similarly, Holway defines Don Juan as “an arc as the camera looks to the side away away from the arm and pans to the rear.”

Just because a camera is panned slightly to the left or right doesn’t necessarily change its position – though there are certainly grey areas that Holway refers to as “no man’s land.”

Combining the Modes and the Positions

So what’s the difference between the “modes” and the “positions”? The mode refers to how the camera is mounted, independent of how the rig and operator moves, while the position refers to the interplay between the operator, the camera, and the rig.

For instance, a camera can be positioned missionary in high mode or Don Juan in low mode and vice versa. However, a camera cannot be both missionary and Don Juan nor can it fly in both high or low modes. It’s one of each.

For a really great demonstration of these concepts, along with sample videos of what they look like on screen, check out this video created by Steadicam operator John E. Fry:

Other Terms and Variations

There are, of course, other subtle variations on these basic positions and modes. The poor man’s low mode, for instance, involves inverting the rig so the camera flies low without inverting the camera underneath the sled. The result is a quicker setup, but an inverted image as well.

A few other terms that are useful to know:

Goofy foot: Operating with the camera on the right (as opposed to the traditional left)

Hard mount: When part of the Steadicam is fixed to a vehicle or other rig

Soft mount: When the operator, wearing the Steadicam, is shooting from a vehicle or other rig

This amazing Steadicam shot comes from the video of a foreign pop star's concert. For the sake of always having it available, I wanted to post it here and so that other people can get the opportunity to see how incredibly awesome this shot is.

You can only sneak around set as a tape measure ninja for so long before it gets old. Sometimes you just want need to stay next to the camera and get your marks. Introducing the laser measuring device: a technological godsend for the camera assistant who doesn't have the time to walk on set with their soft tape measure.

I’m a student taking a crash course in steadicam operating and I think one of the most important things an operator needs to think about is themselves and how much strain wearing the harness is on the body because if you’re not used to it, your shots will look pretty terrible. That is to say, really take care of yourself on set because Steadicams are fun when you’re not exhausted or hurting. It’s one thing to know the jargon and another thing to be able to physically operate it

This was a great refresher for me and a great introduction to Steadicam operation!

http://www.theblackandblue.com/ Evan

I have only the utmost respect for Steadicam operators. It’s a really demanding job. I think I’ll probably stick with the jargon :)

Thanks for the comment!

Jack van der Loo

Hi
I’m a steadicam operator
I think you really covered the basics for an AC point of view.

http://www.theblackandblue.com/ Evan

Thanks Jack! That’s good to hear

Juan Lima

A good tip for any Steadicam Assistant is to learn about the big “V” marks we use (quite different to other marks). You must be a very accurate Focus Puller (You have a good article about this) and need to know how to solve any situation with a wireless device. If you want to become a good Steadicam Assistant, Jerry Holway’s book is essential and also a very important tool for anyone wanting to become operator.
I have 3 years of experience as Steadicam Assistant and Focus Puller and 10 years as a Steadicam Operator

“The Switch is a key movement of the Steadicam”

Great website Evan!

Regards,

Juan

Joe

Is it the AC who also finally balances the rig for the operator?

It Only Takes One Gig.

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